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Hornet mechanical back up brakes do work
  • stepdownstepdown
    Posts: 46Hitchhiker
    Haven't been on for some time but wanted to share that the back up mechanical brake linkage on my 54 hornet kicked in and help not run into the ditch ... The master cyl. went south quickly and the mechanical linkage let me to a slow stop.. Funny the linkage wasn't hook up when I bought the car but it was on my to do list.... Crazy set up....
    Question how bad are those E- bay master cyl. in a pinch .... Any body ever buy one...I would like to send mind out for rebuild but still some driving weather and don't have the time right now.....Is there any one that sleeves them ...
    This Hornet rocks I've pretty much got all the bugs worked out and was hoping to get to PA. Last month for the meet . No Luck ...
  • DocHornetDocHornet
    Posts: 146Expert Adviser
    white post restorations can resleeve.. it won't be cheap
  • brumac
    Posts: 188Expert Adviser
    Go to NAPA and buy a new one. Number 3081. Much faster and probably cheaper.
    Bruce
  • ski4life65ski4life65
    Posts: 618Platinum Member
    Yes, 3081 still available at most parts stores
  • SuperDaveSuperDave
    Posts: 2,376Platinum Member
    It also was used on International pickup trucks so is still around.
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,042Platinum Member
    I drove around for at least 3 months before I realised I was stopping on the mechanical brakes on the first Hudson I owned - a 53 Hornet sedan. What did I know, at that point, about Hudsons. I just kept putting brake fluid in the master cylinder. X(
    Dumb. I knew something was wrong - but didn't know about the mechanical back up at that time.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Bur
    Memphis, TN
    http://www.hetclub.org/
    http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm
  • J SpencerJ Spencer
    Posts: 367Gold Member
    Master cylinders are available through Advance Auto Parts. I work at Advance and recently got one for a member. Wagner brand and marked made in USA.

    Jim Spencer
    WNY/ONTARIO CHAPTER
  • rbennett47rbennett47
    Posts: 121Senior Contributor
    New is better than sleeved....Got mine through NAPA about 6 years ago...
  • Uncle JoshUncle Josh
    Posts: 1,860Platinum Member
    Yup, I went for an inspection with the old 49 once and jammed the brakes heading for the garage door. Popped a line and thankfully the backup kicked in and saved the door and no little embarrasment.

    Buy new master cylinders and other brake parts here also.

    http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1435678,parttype,1836
  • lostmindlostmind
    Posts: 515Gold Member
    I had a 54 Hornet with power brakes,I don't remember it having the back up system
    on it?
  • stepdownstepdown
    Posts: 46Hitchhiker
    Sound like were all glad Hudson has the back up linkage ...... I've given it some thought when I look at the steel and rubber brake lines themselves.... They all look very original to the car and look pretty good from the outside .Blowing a line with these single well master cyl. Concern me..
    Sound like winter project ....
  • hdsn49hdsn49
    Posts: 391Platinum Member
    Jay, Whats the number of the master cylinder from Advance Auto.
  • hudsonguyhudsonguy
    Posts: 754Platinum Member
    I haven't had to use Hudson's 'triple-safe' brakes myself, but witnessed their effectiveness on my first long road trip. In 2005, on my way to Reno, I met Jim and Louise Wildrick somewhere in Nebraska. Turns out the new master cylinder on his beautifully restored '49 convertible had failed somewhere along the line, and he said he was using the back-up brakes. I thought he'd be fixing it then and there, but he had no problem just continuing on for the next couple days and fixing it at the meet. There are just a few mountains between Nebraska and Nevada, too! Dr. Doug put a new master cylinder on at the meet in Reno, and they were good to go.
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,574Platinum Member
    If you remember a lot of older cars 20's and back only had rear brakes,
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • ESSX28-1ESSX28-1
    Posts: 995Platinum Member
    1928 was the first year Essex got 4 wheel brakes & they were the internal expanding type as distinct from the earlier 2 wheel brakes on rear wheels only. Those external contracting brakes made for much entertainment in the wet!!!
    Dave Y
    New Zealand
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